A few weeks ago I went to be filmed performing my song Chopping Wood for Liverpool Live TVs ‘Red Sofa Sessions’. These guys are great to work with and it was the easiest 5 minutes of filming I’ve ever done 🙂
This is the result…
Be sure to head over and see who else they have filmed, always quality!
Jo x
I was very excited to be asked to lay down a vocal track for Bowker a few months ago. One of the biggest musical challenges I’ve undergone, possibly! and the first time I’ve been required as just a vocalist… no words either 🙂 This great band from Southport – have an impending album launch to be held at Lomax, Liverpool on 11th October, at which I’ll be making an appearance. Keep your ears open for the track as it becomes available!
The album is called Sail to the Deep and from what I’ve heard will be a chunky riffs power trio collection of musical delights. They are releasing through Searching For Dandelions, the very same which I released Chasing Tales through. Well worth a check out!
Jo x
Hello Feb…… ……!
Not really knowing where to start but I’m so happy with how Chasing Tales EP is going down and my songwriting generally is ticking the right boxes. Makes the hard work feel soooo worth it.
Last week I went along to BBC Radio Merseyside to record a session with Dave Monks for BBC Introducing. I’ve been wanting to get on the show for a while and we finally managed to sort out a date. Brilliant! The show was aired on Saturday and can be listened to again for the next few days so if you get chance, I recommend. I played Chopping Wood and This Garden and did a bit of an interview. My bit is at 30.39s but if you want to chill for a bit long I’d say have a listen to the whole show. Thanks BBC Introducing!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7td
Reviews – wise. I’ve just managed to pick up a copy of R2 magazine that I was told had a short review of Chasing Tales in. Here it is!
R2 review – Chasing Tales 2014
BBC 6 Music! I has some awesome news this month too in the form of BBC 6 Music MIXTAPE. My song This Garden was picked by Tom Robinson for inclusion on his show a couple of weeks ago.
Tour –
I have many dates lined up for far for this year. This weekend brings :
Fri 21st Feb – The Basement, York. Supporting Mulholland
Sat 22nd Feb – Songbook Sessions @ The Zanzibar, Liverpool
Sun 23rd Feb – Beerfest @ St Bridgets Church, West Kirby
For upto date gigs head to GIGS
Hope to see you there!
Jo x
Chasing Tales reviews and gigs updated on the website constantly… the latest addition is this fab one from Blues Matters Magazine.…
This is a fantastic bit of news to weigh in with so early in the year, I’m feeling very lucky and achieved!
Firstly Happy New Year!
Just before Christmas it was brought to my attention that I had been shortlised for the above award down to 3 people. I was in fab company with Marina Florence and Keston Cobblers Club, it felt pretty special :). I found out last Wednesday that my EP Chasing Tales was voted the Winner of the category. Big smiles and many thanks to all those at FATEA Magazine and involved in the awards for your support. I’ve worked hard and it feels nice to get my first award since winning a drawing competition at the East Ardsley Gala when I was little. Check out the rest of the categories and awards here!
Chasing Tales is available to buy at gigs and online. It’s available from all the usual suspects but it is Bandcamp that looks after me best and I can also sign a CD for anyone that wishes who purchases from there. You understand that this is now officially an Award – winning EP right? 😉
Onwards and upwards! 🙂
Hello All!
Swishing into December are we, doing whatever each of us likes to do or not do! 🙂 Me personally I like to leisurely drink coffee and stay in where its warm..
Busy times musically!
First up. Last month we filmed a vid over two days to compliment my crowd favourite Chopping Wood. This song has been making people happy. So I contacted the fab Mr Andrew Ab and he sent the finished product to me this week and I couldn’t wait to share it.. I suggest sitting yourself down with a brew and taking 4 mins..(until the end of the song of course) and soaking up this little visual delight. I’m really happy with it and so seem those who have thus far seen it..and who can say more than that.
Secondly. Last month Chopping Wood was picked by the one and only BBC 6 Musics Tom Robinson for his Fresh on the Net blog. I then was emailed an excellent message to say the same song had been selected for Tom’s BBC Introducing Mixtape show. Happy? Well..just a little bit 🙂 Here’s the show that went out with my song on it!
http://freshonthenet.co.uk/2013/12/mixtape20131202/
The Fresh on the Net site is also an amazing resource for musicians looking for tips on how to optimise their opportunities..
Third. Last weekend I headed down to Hertford Corn Exchange to perform as part of the Folkstock Christmas show. I did the festival in the Summer and I can’t recommend it enough for the future. I was treated extremely well and the acts were all top quality. Last sunday was a full day of free music. Check out these guys if you can and keep an eye on the festival for the future!
Pic from the day by Helen Meissner..who also took some vid footage and made an awesome compilation here…. as well as being the boss of Folkstock!
definitely not least… one day last week whilst browsing the internet I came across this little gem..
If you cast your eyes to the bottom you will see what made me happy 🙂
Blues Matters is a great mag featuring all things blues and somethings that push the boarder of traditional blues. I like this ethos a lot being that my music is not especially traditional to any genre. These guys have reviewed my EP and it is in the current issue with favourable words. Once I have my copy I shall be posting a picture of the review.
Until next time enjoy this time of year however you need to! Many good vibes from me and if you’re looking for gift inspiration I would recommend my EP Chasing Tales…. naturally!
Jo x
The last days of November and teetering on the beginning of my fave month of the year! Chasing Tales EP has been out for 2 whole months now and I’ve had some cracking feedback so far! Have a look at the reviews here, I’m so happy to say the least. Much of it has been along the lines of- ‘great EP!, when’s the album coming out!’.., inspiring to say the least and to those who have asked that I’m already writing…
My immediate plans are to get out and about and do a good run of gigging this new material. I have been doing my musician admin duties to the fullest since the release and I have a gig list here and I’m adding to it all the time. If I’m not coming near you and you have ideas of venues please give me a shout and I’ll see what I can do!
Last weekend we got some people together and made a video for my song Chopping Wood. I teamed up with the excellent Andrew Ab who is clocking up quite a portfolio of videos by some fantastic artists. We made a campfire and ate burned marshmellows and it was great fun, even having a pink face from being so hot! The vid will be out before Xmas.
Chopping Wood has also being picked by Tom Robinson for play on his Mixtape show on BBC 6Music over the next week or two. It was whittled down and included in Fresh Faves Batch 85 and had a little climb from there.
I’ve had great news of things to come which I will divulge in good time.
Until December is in full swing enjoy the warm up to the end of the year and the beginning of the new. Soak up the Autumn. Head over to pick up / download your copy of Chasing Tales at Bandcamp/Amazon/iTunes/CDBaby and if you are looking for a great prezzy for someone I highly recommend it.
Speak soon
Jo
Happy Days., I’m really still coming down from Friday nights Chasing Tales EP launch at View Two Gallery, hosted by the fantastic Liverpool Acoustic and with and awesome line-up (Little Sparrow, Me & Deboe, Anna Corcoran).. full house and lots of happy music lovers.
It’s been solid work for me since September last year with starting to write the first song (Woollen Hearts) and I couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out.
The EP is now available to buy from all the usual suspects –
Bandcamp / Amazon / iTunes / CD Baby
There are limited number of CDs available so get in there quick if you love the tactile music experience, I know I do. I will be taking these to gigs as well until they run out!
This is what the reviews are saying about the EP so far..
‘Delicious, laid-back, folk-tinged Americana’ – Folkwords
‘Unorthodox, uncompromising, simply brilliant’ – FATEA
‘always played with a great sense of maturity, an ear for the rhythmic and an ability to place words in such a way that the guitar is more than an instrument to her, it is more like a confidant, a co-conspirator in her music and Chasing Tales once exemplifies this confidant and genuinely very cool woman’s ability’ – Liverpool Sound & Vision
FIND THEM IN FULL AS WELL AS REVIEWS FROM THE LAUNCH
wt/; Blythe Cooper from Chasing Tales EP Launch Liverpool. pic by Adrian Wharton 2013
Sketch by Ken Martin, View Two Gallery Liverpool. 2013.
Chasing Tales EP Launch Liverpool. pic by Adrian Wharton. 2013.
wt/ Andy Jones. Chasing Tales EP Launch Liverpool. 2013. pic Adrian wharton
Chasing Tales CD pic by Russell Cottier
Find more pics from the gig on FACEBOOK 🙂
Big thanks to all those that were involved and made it down and for those that didn’t pick up your copy of the EP and indulge in some new music.
See you at the next gig near you!
Jo x
Next up for gigs
4th Oct 2013: Live session w/t The Foxs Den Show (Vixen 101.8FM) – 9pm
15th Oct: Writers Block, Lomax, Liverpool
17th Oct: Acoustic Lounge wt/Gerry Murphy – Vintage Radio
18th October 2013: The Rifleman, Stalybridge supporting Patsy Matheson
17th Jan 2014: Live session w/t Roots and Fusion (Pure FM)
20th June 2014: Beverley Folk Festival
Gearing up towards my EP launch this Friday Graham Holland has got stuck in with this edition of Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight to showcase some of the music that will be heard on the night. In the playlist is my new song Chopping Wood feat. Andy Jones (Just by Chance).
Facebook event for the gig is here – https://www.facebook.com/events/731376096878649/
Buy your tickets upfront here! http://www.wegottickets.com/liverpoolacoustic
See you there! x
1 week to go and the launch of Chasing Tales will be upon us!
Just to give you a little taste here is a teaser vid we did. Thanks to Blythe Cooper for video skills and patience 🙂
Check out the full event and line-up here. I’ve had some awesome rehearsal time with the musician that will be performing the new songs with me-
https://www.facebook.com/events/731376096878649/
Get your tickets here:
http://www.wegottickets.com/liverpoolacoustic
This weekend I will mostly be performing at Folkstock. If you are in the are come and join us!
If not before, see you next Friday for the big day x
Jo Bywater 